No blue. Just black.

Today we laid low.

Got up at a reasonable hour.  Did some productive work.  Got ready to go out for a run.  I slipped and broke my big toe (OUCH. Not pleasant. Do not recommend it.).

I will spare you the nasty picture of my swollen black toe.

Jeff went for a run while I rode my bike.  Hung out at home some more and iced my foot.  Hobbled out for Turkish food. That wasn't enough for Jeff so we went for gyoza and edamame too.

Now home drowning my misery in my new favorite drink, Chu-Hi (thanks, Leigh!) and Meiji chocolate covered in peanut butter. 

It's amazing, though, you'd think this day would suck, but I spent every single moment with my husband, and I couldn't be happier.  Going to bed with a smile on my face.

Mata ne,
Melissa

Back on the wagon

It's not like I don't have the time.  In fact, I have literally nothing on my schedule.  At all.  But for some reason not having a schedule makes it that much harder to get on a schedule for working out.

But that's all changing now.  Maybe I'm inspired by Jeff's marathon training plan.  Or it could be the fact that all the clothing in Japan is too small for me. Whatever.  I'm going to do it and I'm starting today.

See?  Try and catch me.

Time to break out the themed sweaters.

Good morning, December.  I wasn't expecting you so soon, and yet, here you are.

I should have seen you coming, I suppose, as I can't escape the drone of Christmas music, elaborately decorated store windows, and present pushing commercials even in a country where the overwhelming majority of the population does not celebrate Christmas.

Good bye, autumn.  You will be missed.

I just love this picture.  I can't get enough of it.  This is the last time, I promise.

Being December 1, it is our favorite toy good friend Bridgette's son Connor's first birthday!!

What a cutie!  Happy Birthday Connor!!

We look forward to playing with you when we get home!

Mata ne,

Melissa

Flattely will get you nowhere

Today, for the first time in quite a while, I was a productive member of society.

I took part in a survey about my smartphone usage.  And I am eagerly awaiting financial compensation for my time!  Who knew my blackberry thumbs would come in handy some day?

That might not have even been the most imporant thing accomplished today.  This morning I took Jeff to get his haircut.  In the train station. First the guy cut/used the clippers on Jeff's hair.

Then he vacuumed Jeff's head.  Like with a vacuum.

Jeff said it actually felt really nice.

Since we'd traveled all the way to Yokohama for the survey, we decided to walk around a bit there and  went to the requisite mall-attached-to-the-station.  While buying Jeff the espresso maker he's decided he can't spend the next nine months without (he's such a coffee snob), I spied this little gem:

Now I know flattery will get you nowhere, but I am not sure the same can be said for flattely.

This is just the tip of the bad English iceberg.

Mata ne,
Melissa

take it easy

Ahhh.  Quiet Sunday.

Today we relaxed and did some work (yes, I studied Japanese) at a coffee shop. I spend an increasingly large amount of time looking at the side of my husband's face.

Still thinking about the wonderful Thanksgiving celebration even though I couldn't be with family.   So thankful to have friends to share it with!

Big day tomorrow.  Heading to Yokohama in the morning - details to come.

Mata ne,
Melissa